Breeding range expansion of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) in the Algerian Sahara: Adaptation to hot hyper-arid environments
References
- Alberti, M. 2005. The effects of urban patterns on ecosystem function. – International Regional Science Review 28(2): 168–192. DOI: 10.1177/0160017605275160
- Alia, Z., Khechekhouche, E. A., Ghemam Amara, D., Messaoudi, M., Cherrada, N., Sekour, M., Ahmad, S. F., Attia, S. M., Sawicka, B. & Messaoudi, M. 2025. Exploring diversity, abundance and ecological impacts of rodents in Saharan agriculture regions (Souf-Algeria). – Acta Zoologica 1–10. DOI: 10.1111/azo.12539
- Arizaga, J., Campos, F. & Alonso, D. 2006. Variations in wing morphology among subspecies might reflect different migration distances in Bluethroat. – Ornis Fennica 83(4): 162–169.
- Athamnia, M., Belabed, B. E., Samraoui, K. R., Boucheker, A., Touati, L., Samraoui, F., El-Serehy, H. A. & Samraoui, B. 2022. Variability in arrival time of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia L.): impact of age, interindividual variation, and global change. – Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10: 841744. DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.841744
- Avidad, P. M., Clavero, M. & Viana, D. S. 2025. Climate and land-use change leading to niche expansion and shifts in birds. – Journal of Biogeography 52(2): 443–453. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.15045
- Azafzaf, H. 2002. Statut actuel de la population de la Cigogne blanche Ciconia ciconia en Tunisie [The breeding population of White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Tunisia]. – Alauda 70(3): 387–392. (in French)
- Babouri, S., Metallaoui, S. & Heddam, S. 2020. Abundance and spatial distribution of the structure supporting the nest of White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Guerbes-Sanhadja wetland eco-complex, northeastern of Algeria. – Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27(36): 45974–45982. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11323-9
- Barkat, A., Bouaicha, F., Rahal, Z., Mester, T. & Szabó, G. 2023. Evaluation of climatic conditions from 1978 to 2020 of Oued Souf valley (Southern East of Algeria). – Acta Geographica Debrecina Landscape & Environment Series 17(1): 1–10. DOI: 10.21120/LE/17/1/1
- Benharzallah, N., Si Bachir, A., Taleb, F. & Barbraud, C. 2015. Factors affecting growth parameters of White Stork nestlings in eastern Algeria. – Journal of Ornithology 156(3): 601–612. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-015-1162-0
- Bensizerara, D., Chenchouni, H., Bachir, A. S. & Houhamdi, M. 2013. Ecological status interactions for assessing bird diversity in relation to a heterogeneous landscape structure. – Avian Biology Research 6(1): 67–77. DOI: 10.3184/175815513X13577344603957
- BirdLife International 2016. Ciconia ciconia: The IUCN red list of threatened species 2016. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T22697691A86248677.en. Accessed on 13 June 2025
- BirdLife International 2024. Migratory bird of the month: White Stork. – https://www.birdlife.org/news/2024/03/13/migratory-bird-of-the-month-white-stork/
- Blondel, J. 1975. L’analyse des peuplements d’oiseaux, éléments d’un diagnostic écologique I. la méthode des échantillonnages fréquentiels progressifs (E.F.P.) [The analysis of bird populations, elements of an ecological diagnosis I. the method of progressive frequent sampling (E.F.P.)]. – Revue d’Ecologie, Terre et Vie 4: 533–589. (in French)
- Both, C., Van Turnhout, C. A. M., Bijlsma, R. G., Siepel, H., Van Strien, A. J. & Foppen, R. P. B. 2010. Avian population consequences of climate change are most severe for long-distance migrants in seasonal habitats. – Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences 277(1685): 1259–1266. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1525
- Both, C. & Visser, M. E. 2001. Adjustment to climate change is constrained by arrival date in a long-distance migrant bird. – Nature 411(6835): 296–298. DOI: 10.1038/35077063
- Bouaoune, D. & Dahmani-Megrerouche, M. 2010. Reconstitution de données climatiques pour l’Algérie du Nord: application des réseaux neuronaux [Climatic data reconstruction for Northern Algeria: application of neural networks]. – Comptes Rendus Geoscience 342(11): 815–822. DOI: 10.1016/j.crte.2010.09.005 (in French with English Summary)
- Boukhemza, M., Boukhemza-Zemmouri, N., Voisin, J. F. & Baziz, B. 2006. Écologie trophique de la Cigogne blanche (Ciconia ciconia) et du Héron garde-boeufs (Bubulcus ibis) en Kabylie (Algérie) [Trophic ecology of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) and the Cattle Ibis (Bubulcus ibis) in Kabylia (Algeria)]. – Ecologia Mediterranea 32(1): 15–28. DOI: 10.3406/ecmed.2006.1415 (in French with English Summary)
- Bouzid, A., Adamou, N. & Chedad, A. 2023a Première observation de l’érismature à Tête blanche Oxyura leucocephala dans le Sahara Algérien [First record of the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala in the Algerian Sahara]. – Alauda 91(3): 210–213. (in French with English Summary)
- Bouzid, A., Chedad, A., Samraoui, F. & Samraoui, B. 2023b Range expansion of nesting Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides and Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax in the Sahara. – Wetlands Ecology and Management 31(4): 467–478. DOI: 10.1007/s11273-023-09928-1
- Bouzid, A., Samraoui, F. & Samraoui, B. 2023c A survey of the distribution of the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus in Algeria and its first recorded breeding in the Algerian Sahara. – African Journal of Ecology 61(2): 485–489. DOI: 10.1111/aje.13119
- Chedad, A., Adamou, N., Bouzid, A., Bendjoudi, D. & Guezoul, O. 2022a The Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris L., 1758 regular wintering species in the Algerian Sahara. – Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 12(1): 189–197. DOI: 10.31924/nrsd.v12i1.099
- Chedad, A., Bouzid, A., Bendjoudi, D. & Guezoul, O. 2022b New observations of four waterbird species in Algerian Sahara. – African Journal of Ecology 60(3): 516–522. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12934
- Chedad, A., Bouzid, A. & Samraoui, B. 2022c First successful nesting of the Little Egret Egretta garzetta in Ghardaïa (Algerian Sahara). – Zoology and Ecology 32(1): 68–73. DOI: 10.35513/21658005.2022.1.8
- Chedad, A., Bouzid, A., Bendjoudi, D. & Guezoul, O. 2023a Avifauna of M’Zab region (Ghardaïa, Algerian Sahara): checklist and overview of the current status. – Zoology and Ecology 33(1): 22–35. DOI: 10.35513/21658005.2023.1.4
- Chedad, A., Bouzid, A., Abderrahman, A. B., Dahmani, W., Hammou, M. A., Bouzidi, M. A., Mezzi, M., Bendjedidi, A. & Mhammed, T. H. 2023b First record of Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola in the Sahara and an update on its distribution in Algeria. – Community and Ecology 1(1): 2–6. DOI: 10.59429/ce.v1i1.104
- Chedad, A., Bouzid, A., Samraoui, F. & Samraoui, B. 2023c Surviving amid the Saharan sands: first breeding record and nesting ecology of the Mallard in the Algerian Sahara. – Wetlands Ecology and Management 31(6): 1–13. DOI: 10.1007/s11273-023-09970-z
- Chedad, A., Horo, A., Bouzid, A., Bendjoudi, D. & Guezoul, O. 2023d Palm grove, an important refuge for avian species in the Algerian Sahara. – Revue des BioRessources 13(2): 148–164.
- Chenchouni, H., Bouzekri, A., Bezzalla, A. & Neffar, S. 2025. Sahara and other African deserts. – In: Demolin-Leite, G. L. (ed.) Terrestrial Biomes: Global biome conservation and global warming impacts on ecology and biodiversity (Volume 2). – Academic Press, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, pp. 115–134. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-36569-0.00007-0
- Chenchouni, H. 2017. Variation in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) diet along a climatic gradient and across rural-to-urban landscapes in North Africa. – International Journal of Biometeorology 61(3): 549–564. DOI: 10.1007/s00484-016-1232-x
- Chenchouni, H., Bachir, A. S. & Al Rashidi, M. 2015. Trophic niche and feeding strategy of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) during different phases of the breeding season. – Avian Biology Research 8(1): 1–13. DOI: 10.3184/175815515X14232310459990
- Cheriak, L., Barbraud, C., Doumandji, S. & Bouguessa, S. 2014. Diet variability in the White Stork Ciconia ciconia in eastern Algeria. – Ostrich 85(2): 201–204. DOI: 10.2989/00306525.2014.971451
- Coumou, D. & Rahmstorf, S. 2012. A decade of weather extremes. – Nature Climate Change 2(7): 491–496. DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1452
- Diaf, I., Lifa, A. & Mostfaoui, A. 2024. Oued Souf (Algerian Sahara): balancing rising groundwater and agricultural sustainability. – Bulletin of Geography. Physical Geography Series 27: 45–56. DOI: 10.12775/bgeo-2024-0009
- Djouhri, N., Bouammar, B. & Dadamoussa Mohamed, L. 2023. Study of the sustainability of potato farms in the region of Oued Souf (Southern Algeria). – Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology 11(2): 197–201. DOI: 10.24925/turjaf.v11i2.197-201.4861
- Farhi, Y. 2014. Structure et dynamique de l’avifaune des milieux steppiques présahariens et phoénicicoles des Ziban [Structure and dynamics of avifauna in pre-Saharan steppic and palm grove habitats of the Ziban region]. – Université Mohamed Khider, Biskra, Algérie, Biskra (in French)
- Farhi, Y. & Belhamra, M. 2012. Typologie et structure de l’avifaune des Ziban (Biskra, Algérie) [Typology and structure of avifauna in the Zibans region (Biskra, Algeria)]. – Université Mohamed Khider, Biskra, Algérie 13: 127–136. (in French with English Summary)
- GBIF.org. 2025. Occurrence Download. DOI: 10.15468/DL.9AFSMH
- Greening, S. S., Pascarosa, L. R., Munster, A. L., Gagne, R. B. & Ellis, J. C. 2025. Climate change as a wildlife health threat: a scoping review. – BMC Veterinary Research 21(1): 60. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-04516-2
- Gregory, R. D. & van Strien, A. 2010. Wild bird indicators: using composite population trends of birds as measures of environmental health. – Ornithological Science 9(1): 3–22. DOI: 10.2326/osj.9.3
- Gueddoul, M., Mouane, A., Selmane, M. & Chedad, A. 2024. The first record of Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) in the northeastern Algerian Sahara. – Biharean Biologist 18(2): 155–159.
- Guezoul, O., Chenchouni, H., Sekour, M., Ababsa, L., Souttou, K. & Doumandji, S. 2013. An avifaunal survey of mesic manmade ecosystems “Oases” in Algerian hot-hyper arid lands. – Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 20(1): 37–43. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2012.10.001
- Isenmann, P. & Molai, A. 2000. Oiseaux d’Algérie [Birds of Algeria]. – Paris Société d’études Ornithologiques de France. – Musé nationale Histoire Nature, Paris (in French)
- Khezzani, B. 2021. Should we be concerned about climate change? – Annals of Arid Zone 60(3–4): 149–150.
- Kim, K. C. & Weaver, R. D. 1994. Biodiversity and humanity: paradox and challenge. – In: Kim, K. C. & Weaver, R. D. (eds.) Biodiversity and Landscapes: A Paradox of Humanity. – Cambridge University Press, pp. 3–27.
- Koufaki, T., Barboutis, C. & Theodorou, K. 2024. Differential impact of climate and land use change on habitat suitability of migrant passerines according to habitat preferences. – Anthropocene 47: 100–447. DOI: 10.1016/j.ancene.2024.100447
- Mainwaring, M. C. 2015. The use of man-made structures as nesting sites by birds: A review of the costs and benefits. – Journal for Nature Conservation 25: 17–22. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2015.02.007
- Mammeria, A. B., Triplet, P. & Bitam, I. 2019. The White Stork Ciconia ciconia in the northeast of Algeria, and its relation with climatic change between 1996 and 2014. – Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 216: 165–170. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2018.01.001
- McDermott, M. E. & DeGroote, L. W. 2017. Linking phenological events in migratory passerines with a changing climate: 50 years in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. – PLoS One 12(4): 1–17. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174247
- Moali-Grine, N. 2007. Dynamique de la population de la Cigogne blanche (Ciconia ciconia) en Algérie depuis 1995 [Population dynamics of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Algeria since 1995]. – Ostrich 78(2): 291–293. DOI: 10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.27.107 (in French with English Summary)
- Moali-Grine, N., Moali, L. & Moali, A. 2013. Distribution et écologie de la reproduction de la Cigogne blanche (Ciconia ciconia) en Algérie [Distribution and breeding ecology of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Algeria]. – Revue d’Écologie 68(1): 59–69. (in French with English Summary)
- Møller, A. P., Rubolini, D. & Lehikoinen, E. 2008. Populations of migratory bird species that did not show a phenological response to climate change are declining. – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105(42): 16195–16200. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0803825105
- Ouendeno, M. L. 2019. L’agriculture irriguée au Souf-El oued : acteur et facteur de développement [Irrigated agriculture in Souf-El Oued: A driver and actor for development]. – Journal Algérien des Régions Arides 13(2): 114–128. (in French with English Summary)
- Pecl, G. T., Araújo, M. B., Bell, J. D., Blanchard, J., Bonebrake, T. C., Chen, I.-C., Clark, T. D., Colwell, R. K., Danielsen, F., Evengård, B., Falconi, L., Ferrier, S., Frusher, S., Garcia, R. A., Griffis, R. B., Hobday, A. J., Janion-Scheepers, C., Jarzyna, M. A., Jennings, S., Lenoir, J., Linnetved, H. I., Martin, V. Y., McCormack, P. C., McDonald, J., Mitchell, N. J., Mustonen, T., Pandolfi, J. M., Pettorelli, N., Popova, E., Robinson, S. A., Scheffers, B. R., Shaw, J. D., Sorte, C. J. B., Strugnell, J. M., Sunday, J. M., Tuanmu, M.-N., Vergés, A., Villanueva, C., Wernberg, T., Wapstra, E. & Williams, S. E. 2017. Biodiversity redistribution under climate change: Impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. – Science 355(6332): eaai9214. DOI: 10.1126/science.aai9214
- Ptaszyk, J., Kosicki, J., Sparks, T. H. & Tryjanowski, P. 2003. Changes in the timing and pattern of arrival of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in western Poland. – Journal of Ornithology 144(3): 323–329. DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0361.2003.03011.x
- Robinson, A., Lehmann, J., Barriopedro, D., Rahmstorf, S. & Coumou, D. 2021. Increasing heat and rainfall extremes now far outside the historical climate. – NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science 4(1): 1–4. DOI: 10.1038/s41612-021-00202-w
- Sakraoui, D., Ziane, N., Ghalem, R., Boukheroufa, M. & Habbachi, W. 2023. Is there an effect of electromagnetic waves from base stations on the breeding success of Ciconia ciconia ciconia in Algeria? – Biosystems Diversity 31(4): 493–499. DOI: 10.15421/012358
- Samraoui, B. & Samraoui, F. 2008. An ornithological survey of Algerian wetlands: Important Bird Areas, Ramsar sites and threatened species. – Wildfowl 58: 71–96.
- Selmane, M. & Benslama, M. 2015. Contribution to the study of soil macrofauna under palm groves in the North-East of the Algerian Sahara (Oued Souf area). – Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 6(6): 203–213.
- Selmane, M., Atouss, I. B., Tliba, S., Farej, A. & Marnich, F. 2016. Contribution to the study of insects in north east of Sahara of Algeria (El Oued region). – Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 4(6): 203–206.
- Si Bachir, A., Chenchouni, H., Djeddou, N., Barbraud, C., Céréghino, R. & Santoul, F. 2013. Using self-organizing maps to investigate environmental factors regulating colony size and breeding success of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). – Journal of Ornithology 154(2): 481–489. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-012-0915-2
- Soualah, A. H., Difi, N., Benhachiche, A. & Ponsero, A. 2021. Seasonal fluctuation of birds in open landfill, Souk Ahras (Algeria). – Genetics & Biodiversity Journal 5(1): 12–19. DOI: 10.46325/gabj.v5i1.159
- Stocker, T. F., Qin, D., Plattner, G. K., Tignor, M. M. B., Allen, S. K., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, V. & Midgley, P. M. 2014. Summary for policymakers. – In: Stocker, T., Qin, D., Plattner, G.-K., Tignor, M., Allen, S., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, V. & Midgley, P. (eds.) Climate Change 2013: The physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. – Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 3–29.
- Thomsen, K. M. & Brust, V. 2025. Vorläufige Ergebnisse des 8. Internationalen Weißstorchzensus 2024 [Preliminary Results of the 8th International White Stork Census 2024]. – NABU, Bergenhusen https://bergenhusen.nabu.de/weissstorch/36307.html Downloaded at 25.07.2025.
- Thongsoulin, P., Phanthuamath, V., Islam, M. S., Thongmanivong, S. & Kang, Y. 2019. The relationship between birds diversity and habitats in Phou Khao Khouay (PKK) national park of Lao PDR. – Open Journal of Forestry 9(2): 143–158. DOI: 10.4236/ojf.2019.92006
- Zoubiri, A., Bensaci, E., Nouidjem, Y., Saheb, M., Gasmi, B. & Mailbi, E. H. 2018. Species composition and distribution pattern of waterbirds in Algerian central hauts plateaux wetlands. – World Journal of Environmental Biosciences 7(2): 26–30.
Language: English
Page range: 346 - 356
Submitted on: Jul 6, 2025
Accepted on: Aug 5, 2025
Published on: Oct 31, 2025
Published by: MME/BirdLife Hungary
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year
Keywords:
Related subjects:
© 2025 Messaoud Gueddoul, Aicha Mouane, Mehdi Selmane, Abdelwahab Chedad, Abdelhakim Bouzid, published by MME/BirdLife Hungary
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.